Running electric to a shed

I am looking to run an electric line to my shed I just built. I already have a subpanel at my hottub with two open spots for a breaker on it, so I plan to tap into that. It's about a 75 foot run to the shed. I plan to dig a trench and put the line in PVC. I don't want to use the underground cable because it's more expensive and you have to dig deeper. My question is whether you can use regular old 12/2 romex inside of the pvc that will be underground? I know most of the time you use stranded cable inside the pvc, but I already have some romex leftover and the stranded seems to be more expensive. Any help it appreciated. Thanks

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It is best IMO not to use the UF cable, whatever your reason. I cannot understand how it is even allowed to bury ac voltage wire unprotected. Step up to 1" conduit, and I would invest in a coil of #10 instead of the #12 you already have. The larger wire will offer an ample supply line for any future modest power demand you may want from in the garage (power tools, landscape lighting, small above ground pool pump. It is easier and cheaper to have a larger wire than you need, than to have to resupply later. As you assemble the conduit, give a squirt of wire pulling lubricant into the end of one pipe at each joint, being sure to keep it off of the gluing area. I do not know of any code that prohibits "Romex" in this application, but I'm sure some electricians will reply if so.

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Wiring underground is considered a wet location, so you must use THWN single conductor wires or UF cable. If all you want is one circuit, three runs of #12 THWN (hot, neutral, ground) in 1/2" PVC will suffice. You will need a disconnect at the shed, but this can be a simple snap switch. I would use a GFCI breaker at the subpanel, but you could also use GFCI receptacles at the shed.

Wiring underground is considered a wet location, so you must use THWN single conductor wires or UF cable. If all you want is one circuit, three runs of #12 THWN (hot, neutral, ground) in 1/2" PVC will suffice. You will need a disconnect at the shed, but this can be a simple snap switch. I would use a GFCI breaker at the subpanel, but you could also use GFCI receptacles at the shed.

Glad to see your clarification on that. I did not know that single conductor wires were required in this situation. Curious.. do you know why ?, it seems that the extra jacket on the "romex" would be beneficial.

Glad to see your clarification on that. I did not know that single conductor wires were required in this situation. Curious.. do you know why ?, it seems that the extra jacket on the "romex" would be beneficial.

How about Uf cable in the conduit? also a no no?

Romex (NM-b) is not allowed underground or anywhere in a classified wet location. It can be ran in conduit but not underground or outside in a wet environment. The jacket is no help if the conduit floods.... it is not rated to be wet. The wires inside are rated thhn not th"w"n... w=wet. In a nutshell you must be in a dry location indoors to use romex.

UF can be ran in conduit underground ,however why do it? It is more expensive than individual conductors. So direct bury it that is what they make it for.

Romex (NM-b) is not allowed underground or anywhere in a classified wet location. It can be ran in conduit but not underground or outside in a wet environment. The jacket is no help if the conduit floods.... it is not rated to be wet. The wires inside are rated thhn not th"w"n... w=wet. In a nutshell you must be in a dry location indoors to use romex.

UF can be ran in conduit underground ,however why do it? It is more expensive than individual conductors. So direct bury it that is what they make it for.

Stubbie

Was just curious about the UF in conduit, agreed it makes no sense to pay the extra cost for it to put it in pipe. Can't change my mind though about never allowing direct burial on any of our jobs. Conduit is plenty cheap enough as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks for the info, although I'm still a little confused as to whether I can tie into my subpanel for the hot tub. Basically I have 6 gauge wire running form a subpanel in the house that goes to a 3 breaker subpanel outside my house. In this subpanel(which is mounted on the side of my house by the hot tub) I have a GFI breaker which is wired and that goes to the hot tub but there are also 2 other empty spots for additional breakers. Why woudl they put two more open spots in the subpanel if you couldn't use them?? Any help is appreicated

I can't find anything that says you can't do as planned. It's a funny coincidence but I am doing a very similar installation early next week. I've spent a few days making dang sure I can use the spa panel. Looks like you have no problems using the spa panel nor do I.

Thanks for the info, although I'm still a little confused as to whether I can tie into my subpanel for the hot tub. Basically I have 6 gauge wire running form a subpanel in the house that goes to a 3 breaker subpanel outside my house. In this subpanel(which is mounted on the side of my house by the hot tub) I have a GFI breaker which is wired and that goes to the hot tub but there are also 2 other empty spots for additional breakers. Why woudl they put two more open spots in the subpanel if you couldn't use them?? Any help is appreicated